A regulation adopted late last month means that the army will be employing nonmilitary personnel on a contract basis, seen as a major reform in the army personnel system.

The Regulation on Nonmilitary Personnel in the Chinese People's Liberation Army was endorsed by Premier Wen Jiabao and Chairman of the Central Military Commission Hu Jintao on June 23.

According to the regulation, nonmilitary personnel will be employed to work in special technical posts or in non-combative corps stationed in remote areas.

They will also work in more general posts such as administrative affairs and logistics.

The regulation said the army is allowed to enroll nonmilitary personnel on the open labor market, assign them posts and responsibilities according to contracts and solve labor disputes to build a flexible personnel system valuing selection through competition.

Though primarily not involved in combat, if necessary nonmilitary personnel will be obliged to go into battle, participate in military maneuvers and deal with emergencies.

Enrollment is under preparation and will soon start throughout the whole army.

(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2005)